King Arthur: A Champ in the Ring and on the Street

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

A new Maverick Stars initiative - 'In Your Corner', headed up by Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Lyndon Arthur - is already proving a big hit with young people in north Manchester.

Lyndon, 29, has been providing support for those in need of a 'big brother' figure in his community. He's been acting as a mentor for one young man in particular, 16 year-old Nissar, who has struggled in lockdown and misses the focus and discipline his local boxing gym, Collyhurst and Moston, normally provides him with.

Lyndon is no stranger to life's hurdles - he was ten years old when his older brother Zennen was shot and killed - and understands the physical and mental stresses and strains that many young people are dealing with.

"I can relate to these life situations," he said.  "I'm someone the kids look up to, so they listen to me and enjoy working with me. He's always asking me 'when are you coming back?' So it's really good that he's interacting with me. We've been doing a bit of basketball and shadow boxing, but it's mainly about talking to him. It's good."

Along with his work with Nissar, Lyndon is preparing for his much-anticipated domestic clash with the highly-rated Anthony Yarde. The Londoner suffered tragedy during lockdown with the death from COVID-19 of both his father and grandmother.

The pair have both defeated Dec Spelman in their last fights as they continue to prepare to meet each other in the ring. 

"I don't see myself as the underdog," Lydon said.  "I've always had confidence going into this fight and nothing has changed."

Chantelle’s Fighting Hunger

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Chantelle's Fighting Hunger

Maverick Stars ambassador Chantelle Cameron is punching above her weight to ensure vulnerable families receive vital food packages during lockdown.

The Northampton super-lightweight fighter has taken charge of the charity's ‘Community Food Hub’ initiative in her home town to help combat hunger and isolation in disadvantaged areas. The initiative began in inner-city areas of Manchester and Liverpool but has now branched out to other regions.

“I really wanted Maverick Stars to run this programme in Northampton,” Chantelle explained. “I spoke to the charity’s founder Charlotte Gilley and asked if we could set it up here. She got it all arranged and now we’re helping people out.

“I’m working with Delapre Primary School, delivering food parcels to people’s homes and it’s a real eye opener. Some days it can make you feel really sad because you can see how people are suffering. But it’s a good thing to do and it makes you want to help them even more.

“I’m grateful that Northampton’s now getting support but I’m hoping that other people can get involved in what we’re doing so we can extend the project.”

Working with Maverick Stars Trust has been a good distraction for Chantelle during these uncertain times. Inactivity is the curse for all professional athletes, but Chantelle is doing everything she can to stay on course for whenever boxing returns.

“I’m doing lots of cycling and ticking over training-wise,” Chantelle said. “I’m also doing loads of mental training, how to stay positive and how to deflect negative thoughts. I’ve been using this time to my advantage to stay prepared.

“It’s frustrating as I was due to get a world title shot this month (May). It was all looking great, dreams were coming true for me, but it’s just another pause.”

If any local businesses are in a position to donate any dried food products (pasta/rice etc), please contact: enquiries@maverickstars.co.uk

Or please visit our just giving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/CROWDFUNDING/JAMIE-MOORE-889

Thousands Fed in Lockdown

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Thousands Fed in Lockdown

Maverick Stars has delivered food to nearly 15 thousand homes during the last five weeks of lockdown.

As the country continues to be gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, our team of ambassadors and volunteers have been on the frontline making sure those most in need are receiving food parcels. Maverick Stars has teamed up with 17 boxing clubs throughout England as part of the Community Food Hub initiative with teams operating in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire, West Midlands and Greater London.

The initiative, which has cost the charity £36,000 to date, is set to continue until mid-May. Please help us continue our work by donating to:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jamie-moore-889

Keeping Fed While School’s Out

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

In these worrying and uncertain times, Maverick Stars has again stepped in to make sure hundreds of vulnerable children will stay nourished until the Covid-19 crisis eases and schools re-open.

The charity has enjoyed great success with its ‘Fit and Fed’ initiatives which combine boxing training and nutrition through the holidays to combat hunger, inactivity and isolation in disadvantaged areas.

‘Fit and Fed’ has now merged with the Maverick Stars ‘Sting Like a Bee’ programme which uses boxing clubs to provide opportunities to hundreds of young people at risk of knife crime and other anti-social problems.

Although boxing gyms are currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, coaches are still making sure their young members are receiving food packages and training advice, whilst respecting social distancing.

Each participating club has been funded by Maverick Stars to feed 25+ young people each day for the next four weeks. Any boxing clubs interested in participating should fill in the form available on: www.maverickstars.co.uk

The latest Maverick Stars initiative is supported by mental health and homeless charities Manchester Mind and Back on Track Manchester.

Picture: Maverick Ambassadors [L-R] - Nigel Travis, Danny Wright, Jamie Moore, Aqib Fiaz, Eric Noi, Thomas McDonagh

Support for Timperley ABC

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Timperley ABC has been given a boost with a new sponsor coming on board.

McQueen Dairies has provided kit for the junior members of the club. Business development manager, Adam McQueen, handed out -t-shirts to the young boxers.

The club, based on the Broomwood estate, is in the process of extending the gym as it is currently over-subscribed and in desperate need of more space.

Timperley ABC juniors pictured (top) with ((L-R) Adam McQueen, head coach Mark Davidson and assistant coach Dave Walker.